A/N: Ah! It was so fabulous to hear from some of you. You're pretty awesome and you encourage me. :) I have a feeling you'll enjoy this chapter more than the last. At least I like this one a lot. :D

Anywho onto the story

Chapter 3

The next day the small family of three day at the kitchen table. Brad cut in to the steaming pancake after Judy poured the syrup over it gently.

"Fred, we're going to the hospital today" she said softly, sitting in the seat beside of him. Fred sat directly in between his parents. "Why?" Fred asked in a tone that didn't please his parents at all. "Because, I called Daphne's parents, they told me that it would be okay to stop by. I told them that there was something you needed to tell them."

"Why'd you lie to them?" Fred mumbled.

"It's no lie Fredrick! When are you going to fess up to the truth and admit you're wrong?" Brad barked at his young rebellious son.

"I did nothing wrong! She's a girl! In my way, and thanks to her I can't do anything! I never wanna see that awful, no good klutz again!" Fred shouted, pounding his little fists onto the table. His mother and father sat there in disbelief. Just when they thought he could get no worse, he always managed to find a way make more trouble than before.

"Fred! That's no way to act! I won't have it! You're going to go to that hospital everyday that little girl is in there. And everyday you'll bring her a gift and give her an apology! But you won't write that apology letter until you feel that you can do it without having such a bitter heart" Brad demanded of his son. Fred wasn't happy at all. He'd dug himself into a deeper ditch than it was before.

"Do you understand?" He asked, in his fury. Fred sighed.

"Yes sir." He replied. Scooting his chair out and excusing himself from the table.

Fred went upstairs and dressed himself in a casual outfit, then lifted up his pillow and found his allowance money he'd earned in the past. He stuffed the cash into the pockets of the jeans.

"Freddy, are you ready to leave?" Judy asked, peeping her head into his room.

"Yeah, I guess." He sighed. Judy cracked a small smile.

"Have you thought about what gift your going to get for Daphne?" Judy questioned, taking a seat on the edge of his bed, where he was sitting. "Nah, I haven't put any thought into it." He said. Judy rolled her eyes. She found the way he said it funny. Such a little boy.

"I tell you what, why don't we just bring her a pair of warm footy socks." His mother suggested. Fred's face was filled with confusion. "Why socks? That's a rotten present" Fred stated, looking up into her eyes. Judy tried to hold her laughter in, she didn't want to anger him, she treasured these simple moments of peace with her son.

"The hospital is cold, her feet are probably freezing. She'd appreciate that thoughtfulness. We'll look for a pretty pattern, that will make it more special." She said. Fred still didn't understand what she was saying, it didn't matter, he was just thankful the idea part was over and his mother had done most the work.

After stopping at a store well known to Judy and picking out a pair of socks for the Blake daughter, the family made their way to the hospital.

On the 10th floor of the hospital The two parents of Daphne stood in the hallway.

"Barty, Nan, our son has something he'd like to say to you." Brad greeted to the couple. "Go ahead Fred."

"Uh..I'm sorry..you know..a-about hurting your daughter." Fred apologized. It was the most miserable thing he'd done in a while.

"Thank you Fredrick." Barty managed to say, still not willing to accept an apology from any member of the Jones family.

"Do you mind if Fred goes in to see Daphne?" Judy requested. Nan and Barty exchanged looks.

"I suppose it would be alright" Barty said, his wife nodding in agreement.

"Thanks." Judy said, opening the door allowing Fred to enter the room.

Around the small corner, in a giant bed the petite frail redhead rested. Fred felt nervous. What would he say? How would she react to seeing him. Not realizing her reaction would be the least of his worries.

"She's not going to hear you" a voice from behind said. It was his father. "The doctor told her parents she's still unconscious. How do you feel about yourself now Fred?" Fred just stared at Daphne. She was attached to a feeding tube, stitches sealing the long cut and a wrap all round her head. An IV was cut into her wrist. His eyes were slowly but surely opening for the first time. A chill crept up his spine. This girl was innocent and he could see all the pain and trauma she would be enduring because of him.

"I..I..I don't know what to say, dad." He sighed. Brad patted his son on the back. "Tell her sorry and leave the package on her table. I'll be outside the room. He finished, walking away.

With minutes passing, Fred found himself losing time staring at the injured girl whom so innocently tried to be his friend.

He limped closer to edge of her bedside.

"Uh..,hi Daphne. I know you can't hear me, but..well I guess I just want to say..gosh-" the ten year old sighed, struggling to find the right words to explain himself. This was even tougher than he imagined it would be. "I didn't mean to hurt you!" He said, a lone tear escaping his eye. Fred never cried, not only him, but others found him the toughest ten year old they'd ever known. "I understand now that you were only trying to be my friend. Truth is..I need a friend. I don't have any. No one wants to be a screw up's friend, nobody. I'm always alone, I hurt people I shouldn't. I guess it's because.. No ones ever given me the fair chance. No one except you..." He said, keeping his calm. "Daphne I'll always understand why you wouldn't be my friend, but I might always have a regret about not being a friend to you from the beginning. I feel like we could be..really close friends..i don't know. I have trouble trusting. I don't tell people this..and the only reason I'm telling you is because you can't hear me. And maybe..maybe I wish that you could. I'm sorry Daphne, I just want a second chance at being your friend here." He sniffled.

Daphne remained still, her eyes still closed shut tightly. The sound of so many machines going off alarmed him. He backed away on crutches from her bed.

"I've gotta go now.. Bye Daphne Blake." He said. Wiping the tears away, acting as if it never happened.

Leaving the hospital he had no idea that soon he'd discover his secrets and cries and apologies were all heard...

TBC

A/N: I'm excited for the next chapter..gonna be sweet!